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Alfred Dunhill Mechanical Belt Buckle
Only 25 envious buyers in the world will get the chance to savor Alfred Dunhill’s latest demonstration in decadence, the limited edition US$10,600 Mechanical Belt. It’s the ultimate alligator belt featuring a high-tech gold, steel and diamond buckle. Available only in the affluent British company’s flagship stores in London, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo, the belt’s claim to fame is not so much its choice of two easily interchangeable black and brown alligator skin straps, but rather its intricate mechanical buckle.
The aesthetically and functionally striking five-axel buckle is crafted by expert artisans with 18 carat rose gold, diamonds and stainless steel. It also utilizes a patented system of over 108 movable mechanical parts by Swiss horology experts to allow for surgically precise, one-handed adjustments of 35mm “” the length traditionally used by tailors to add extra comfort to tailor-made suits for activities such as neatening one’s outfit, letting loose after a hearty meal, or even exiting a low-riding car.
Vivienne Tam’s Digital Designs
HP and world renowned designer Vivienne Tam have teamed up to create a special notebook positioned to become the ultimate tech accessory for fashionistas around the globe. Vivienne Tam and HP unveiled the design of the new must-have digital clutch on the catwalk at Tam’s fashion show during New York’s Fashion Week at Bryant Park. The HP “Digital Clutch,” a small purse-size notebook computer aimed at style conscious women.
Tam also worked with HP to design the notebook’s accessories and packaging. “When I was approached by HP to create a special edition notebook, I could see the design in my head instantly,” said Tam. “The notebook is a true reflection of the needs of a modern woman who cares about fashion but is also passionate about her technology. Backstage before her show, Tam said the print”"a red butterfly on Champagne gold background”"was inspired by the famous Chinese opera “Butterfly Lovers.” The same print showed up in the designer’s spring line which was all about ethereal printed caftans, origami shifts and hippie silhouettes.
Free Audi A4 with a $2 million condo
Everyone’s trying their level best to get through this tough time of recession. Condo developers, who are offering free parking spaces to prospective buyers, are now planning to put a shiny new Audi in the empty space.
NBC New York reports that the 449-unit One Brooklyn Bridge Park on the outskirts of Brooklyn Heights have gotten a little edgy after seeing their building only 30 percent full after a couple of years. To lure buyers, the developers are offering a free 2010 Audi A4 to the next 10 people who buy a unit worth $2 million or more by Sept. 30. The A4 isn’t as attention getting as a Bentley or a Porsche but it might get some shoppers in the door.
D&G’s limited edition ski-masks for a glam weekend on the slopes
Each mask comes guaranteed with an individual serial number marked on its elastic band, thus maintaining its exclusivity. The Swarovski crystals are applied by hand and perfectly links the “Made in Italy’ quality. Made using polyurethane and hypoallergenic and ergonomic foam, the masks have superior technical features including a double lens, and anti fog system offering enhanced visibility, while complying with all safety regulations. The elastic band is made in black polyester with the D&G Logo embroidered ton-sur-ton and with leather and steel detail where the serial number is engraved. The ski-mask is available only at the D&G Boutiques in Milan, Paris, London and New York. The mask is available in four trendy colors: blue, red, gold and silver.
Mrs. O’s admirable fashion sense helps various fashion brands make money
Often called the First Lady of Fashion, Mrs. Michelle Obama has a great sense of style which has earned her a spot on Vanity Fair’s International Best Dressed list now and again. Vogue and People’s magazine have also appreciated the First Lady’s dressing sense by adding her name regularly on the list of the world’s best-dressed people. She has a connect to the modern woman. “She has a sleek style that’s not overdone. … She’s beautifully dressed without too much fuss. She puts on the dress and goes “” and it’s always a good dress”, said Amy Fine Collins, a special correspondent for Vanity Fair.
Mrs. O with her fine dressing has helped many fashion brands to gain huge profits. To be precise, during 189 public appearances in the year between November 2008 and December 2009, Ms Obama caused a cumulative upside of $2.7 billion to the stocks of fashion brands and retailers preferred by her.
Prof David Yermack of New York University’s Stern School of Business calculated that Mrs Obama wore clothes and accessories made by 29 publicly traded companies during those occasions and the upside to these stocks, such as J.Crew, GAP, Dillard’s and DSW averaged at $14 million per appearance. That’s more than any model or superstar would have ever managed. “The first lady’s influence may be tied to the fact that consumers know she’s not paid to wear what she does, whereas they may subconsciously discount models’ endorsements as inherently corrupt,” Mr Yermack wrote in an October issue of the Harvard Business Review that published his findings in an article titled The Michelle Obama Effect.
Let’s not forget, the honour given to Mrs.Obama by Bradford Exchange offering a porcelain commemorative plate (below). It shows Mrs. Obama in her Jason Wu white inaugural gown. It is the first in a series of plates featuring Mrs. Obama’s fashion choices that the company plans to issue. France’s first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy is also a formidable fashion icon, but she doesn’t have the same kind of influence on stocks.
Hyatt spends an extra-ordinary $1.8m per room for its Manhattan based Park Hotel
Luxury hotel, Hyatt is all set to make a world record by spending an eye-popping $1.8 million for the making of each room. The high-end luxury hotel will be spending a total of $ 375 million to build its first luxury Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan, New York.
The city’s first newly built hotel since the year 2003, will have beautiful and expensive 210 rooms. Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian revealed the project’s per-room price in an earnings call with Wall Street analysts. “Our presence in New York City is being transformed [over this year and next],” said Mr. Hoplamazian, pointing out that the Chicago-based company had just one hotel here”"the Grand Hyatt on East 42nd. Street”" for many years. “We remain focused now on New York.” Hyatt has two other high-end hotels in Manhattan that operate as part of its newer Andaz chain. The Park Hotel will be the city’s first newly built five-star hotel since the Mandarin Oriental opened in the Time Warner Center in 2003, the story says.
Star architect Richard Meier unveils his exclusive Hanukkah Menorahs
Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, maybe a few weeks away but preparations for the eight-day festival have already begun in full swing. Pritzker Prize winning architect Richard Meier is unveiling a limited edition menorah and exclusive series of mezuzahs for The Jewish Museum in New York. The Hanukkah Menorah is strictly speaking a nine branched candelabrum lit during the festival and a mezuzah is affixed to the doorframe in Jewish homes.
A limited edition of menorahs will be available for $1000 for purchase through The Jewish Museum Shops beginning November 2010. The limited edition menorah is a reproduction of the architect’s “Meier Lamp’ commissioned by the Israel Museum in 1985. The designer has tried to depict in each candle holder the architectural styles and significant moments in the history of Jews.
So the menorah starts with the obelisk on the left which represents the Jew’s expulsion from Egypt and a watchtower on the right which symbolizes the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. “These are not intended as literal representations of specific events but rather as reminders of the common past and struggles that Jewish people have suffered and their resilience and strength that is so wonderfully captured by the Hanukkah story”, said Meier.
Saks Fifth Avenue to offer larger sizes in designer wear
Americans enjoy the most abundant and varied diet in the world due to which an increasing share of U.S. adults’ life in the land of plenty has made them plenty fat. But whatever be their size, one thing is for sure that women would never compromise when it comes to fashion. Keeping precisely this in mind Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City has decided to stock plus-sized womenswear by such luxe brands as Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Alexander McQueen.
Coming very soon to the department store’s super high-end third floor, fall and winter plus-sized pieces will be mixed right in with existing stock”"most of which would formerly have only been available in sizes ranging to a 10. Stock will reach size 14 across the board, and in some cases”"depending on the brand”"will go up to a size 20. As of now, the store will be keeping these sizes on a trial basis and if it turns out to be successful you can check the other Saks stores to stock larger sizes in these brands.
Highest-Earning Soccer Players
The list of 2011′s highest-paid soccer players has been released by Forbes Magazine a couple of months ago and we’ve thought we should share the players who earned the most in this last year with you as well.
Samuel Eto’o
Last year’s Earnings -> $15 million
Club: FC Anzhi Makhachkala
Africa’s most decorated footballer of all time, winning the “African Player of the Year” award four times, he has now added Puma and Ford to his list of sponsors. His salary at the Russian club rises up to $29 million a year, for a 3 year deal, making him the highest-paid player in the history of soccer.
Frank Lampard
Last year’s Earnings -> $17 million
Club: Chelsea
His main wage is the salary on Chelsea’s field, of around $11 million, putting him on Britain’s highest paid sportsmen but he also has a couple of endorsements that make his total earnings quite a lot bigger. (more…)
The Pierre offers the exclusive Valentine’s Day Package which you will relish forever
Its always better to pre-plan for Valentine’s Day and with bookings going full everywhere on the last moment, you shouldn’t miss this opportunity. It seems this time, the Valentine’s Day hottest offer is by The Pierre, the Taj U.S. flagship hotel in New York. This should be a perfect way to celebrate the special day with that special someone. The Pierre is offering a Valentine’s Day Package for one lucky couple.
The $80,000 package includes two nights in the Tata Suite which is the presidential suite; your pick of cocktails in Two E Bar/Lounge along with festive Champagne or a signature cocktail; meals at Le Caprice; a pre-celebration makeover for the couple at Julien Farel Salon, Madison Avenue.
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